Philip Kenney

Teaching Fellow at the Attic Institute

Philip Kenney is an author and psychotherapist living in Portland. His most recent book, The Writer’s Crucible: Meditations on Emotion, Being and Creativity, was a finalist for The Red City Review 2018 Non-Fiction Book of the Year. This work is intended to support writers with the emotional vulnerabilities they face living a creative life. In 2018, his essay, The Rebirth of Masculinity: What We Can Learn From Harvey Weinstein and Co. was published in issue #7 of The Timberline Review. He is also the author of the novel, Radiance, and a collection of poetry, Where Roses Grow.

Upcoming Classes

Sorry, nothing scheduled at this time.

The Attic Experience

Martha Gies's class in writing creative non-fiction made me write like an energizer bunny every day. At first I was very nervous at the thought of being critiqued. After critique the work of the first group, I realized that the class was all about fostering the manuscript "on the table." Martha creates an amazingly nurturing and honest climate in which the focus is on the manuscript and the author is in the background. I think this allows writers to hear the "criticism" without feeling "criticized." I felt energized to revise. The others taking the class offered so many incisive, thoughtful, and supportive comments. I've produced two viable chapters. I can't say enough good things about my experience at the Attic.

Helen Sinoradzki

The Classic Book for Writers, Updated and Revised

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club

"Finally, an anti-bullsht book on creativity!"* — James Marcus, former editor of Harper's

"Does for the creative process what Strunk and White did for our approach to grammar and style. Indispensible." — Marjorie Sandor, National Jewish Book Award winner

"Buoyant...unorthodox...A provocative and anti-intuitive manual for making fresh art." — Kirkus Review

"Biespiel offers a number of best practices—not just for writing...but for living a creative life." — The Rumpus

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and languages as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable — even while acknowledging that poems, stories, and essays delve into uncomfortable subjects. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with complex identities. We understand that to know the world is to write the world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming diversity and open inquiry.